320 THE MICROSCOPIST. 



have been separated. The diagnosis between dysmenor- 

 rhoea and abortion may be determined by a microscopic 

 examination of such fragments, since the villi of the 

 chorion can be thus recognized if present. 



In leucorrhoea old epithelial cells, loaded with fat, will 

 be seen, with imperfectly formed epithelium and pus 

 globules. Beale states that the development of pus-cor- 

 puscles from the bioplasts of epithelium may be success- 

 fully studied in leucorrhceal discharges. Sometimes blood- 

 globules will be seen altered by exosmosis, etc. 



The white gelatinous discharge from the os uteri, often 

 seen in uterine catarrh, consists of mucus with epithelial 

 elements. 



Fibrous, epithelial, and cancerous tumors or ulcers may 

 sometimes be recognized by their microscopic elements, 

 yet it must be remembered that altered epithelium may 

 be readily mistaken for the elements of cancer, etc. 



The Trichomonas vaginalis (Donne) is common in the 

 yellow acrid mucus of vaginal blennorrhoea. It is a round- 

 ish ciliated animalcule, and may be distinguished from 

 ciliated epithelium by the elongation of the anterior end, 

 which is sometimes drawn out into a long filament or 

 flagellum. 



The epithelium from the Fallopian tubes and uterus is 

 columnar and ciliated, while that of the vagina is squa- 

 mous, with large cells. 



Accidental products may also be discharged from the 

 vagina, as well as from other cavities. In one case I found 

 a number of living Crustacea (Gammara-pulex}, which oc- 

 casioned great pruritus, but were dislodged by injections 

 of sweet oil. 



Dr. Sims has shown how the microscope may aid in the 

 cure of sterility, since the uterine cervical mucus needs to 

 be slightly alkaline. If habitually acid it destroys the 

 spermatozoa. 



